The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

Loading ...

Loading ...

This story appears in the {{article.article.magazine.pretty_date}} issue of {{article.article.magazine.pubName}}. Subscribe

The United States of America: the best of countries, the worst of countries.

More people want to live here than anywhere else in the world.

But more people think we are the reason for world stress and war than any other nation on Earth.

According to a year-ending poll conducted by Win/Gallup International, the U.S. is the biggest threat to world peace. In fact, in percentage terms, more people said the U.S. was the biggest threat to world peace than Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq...combined. When asked "Which country is the biggest threat to peace in the world today?", 24% said the U.S., followed by second place Pakistan at 8%. Iran received 5% of the response (ironically, the same as Israel) and Iraq garnered 4%. Other places Americans fear received even less. The Palestinian territories: 1%. Syria: 3%.

Being the world's only military super power has its price. But in a country that believes its military flies around on angels wings, the view from abroad is completely opposite. The BBC reported on Dec. 30 that within the Americas, 37% of Mexicans said we were bad news, 17% of Canadians and even 13% of our own citizens agreed with the majority.

Is America terrible?

According to the poll, the U.S. is the top destination of choice for foreigners to move to, followed closely by Australia, Canada and Switzerland.